Amusement device



Jan. 20, 193 J. E. GWINNETT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Oct. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 dams fi $151 3110!! w ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1931. J. E. GWINNETT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Oct. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED, STATES JAMES E. GWINNETT, OF KENT, WASHINGTON AMUSEMENT DEVICE Application filed October 1, 1928. Serial No. 309,554

The invention is a rotatable platform adaptable to tilt in any direction and to be used in combination with a moving picture to accentuate action displayed in the picture such as a boat listing or an airplane banking for a turn in which case the platform will be tilted in the opposite direction to accentuate the movement.

The pictures to be shown on the screen in combination with the platform which may be open or provided with sides, or sides and a top, or any suitable inclosure, or installed in a room in which the platform may also be open or provided with sides, or a suitable inclosure, are actually taken by a camera from a moving object such as an airplane, speed boat, motor or other vehicle, or from a train or other conveyance. The picture may be a combination of short films taken from the 2 various devices, or any combination of them.

and spliced together forming one picture, and may be of one color or in various colors or silent or talking. The device is also provided with mechanical. means for producing noise to indicate the same, or wind or odors, smoke, or changes of temperature which may readily be operated by the operator of the platform, which in combination with the movement of the platform, will emphasize the different situations portrayed upon the screen, such as speed, impending disasters, wrecks, storms. waves or the like, or passing through tunnels. A ride on this platform may be called a scenic airplane, speed boat, railway, or automobile tour.

The object of the invention is to provide means for moving the seats of patrons of a moving picture with the picture to accentuate action displayed therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for rigidly supporting a platform in combination with means for tilting the platform in any direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for rotating the platform.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for tilting and rotating a platform which are adaptable to hold the platform in any position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tilting and rotating platform in combination with a moving picture screen in which means are provided for producing smoke, noise, wind, odors, or changes of temperature.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide means for tilting and rotating a platform which may be operated from a common point.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for tilting and rotating a platform with a resilient movement.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide an amusement device having a tilting and rotating platform which is of a comparatively simple and economical construction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies, a platform, a ball and socket for pivotally supporting the platform at the center, suita le air cylinders with pistons therein and connections to the platform for holding and rotating the platform, suitable valve mechanism for controlling the air in the pistons, a suitable screen in combination with the platform, and suitable means for producing noise, wind, odors, smoke or changes of temperature which may readily be operated by the operator of the platform, which in combination with the movement of the platform, will emphasize the different situations portrayed upon the screen, such as speed, impending disasters, wrecks, storms, waves or the like, or passing through tunnels.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing the general arrangement of the device with an airplane banking for a turn shown in the screen and the platform tilting in the opposite direction to that of the airplane.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the center of the platform showing one of the cylinders for raising and lowering one side.

Figure 3 is a cross section similar to that shown in Figure 2 showing an alternate arrangement in which the platform is' moved by a motor through gears and rotated upon a track. v

Figure 4 is a cross section taken at right angles to that shown in Figure 2 showing a cylinder located at right angles from the center to that shown in Figure 2 and also showing the cylinder for rotating the device.

Figure is a section showing a part of the device in which an alternate arrangement is shown to illustrate that the height of the pit may be reduced by placing the'c ylinder in a horizontal instead of vertical position and connecting the piston to the platform with a bell crank. V V a Figure 6 is a plan view of the platform showing the location of the cylinder.

Figure 7 is a detail showing the valve mechanism for controlling the air in the cylinders.

Figure 8 is a plan view on line 88 of Figure 7 showing the arrangement of one of the valve connections.

In the drawings the device is shown as it would be made wherein numeral 1 indicates the platform, numeral 2 the cylinder and numeral 3 the valve mechanism. v

The platform 1 may be of any suitable design or constructed in any suitable manner and the upper surface may he plain or provided with seats as indicated by the numeral 4 and shown in Figure 1. It also may be of any suitable size and may be supported in any suitable manner. In the design shown the platform is made of flatpiece of material as indicated by the numeral 1 and this is provided with a bearing 5. at the center which has a round socket 6 in the under side and a skirt 7 extending downward and outward therefrom thereby forming a conical member. The outer edges of the cone 7 are connected to the outer edge of the platform by struts 8 which are connected to the platform through bearings 9 and to the member 7' through pins It is understood that these struts may be of any suitable shape and may be arranged in any suitable manner and as many struts as may be desired may be used. The socket 6 is slidably mounted upon a ball 11 at the top of a stand 12 which is located. in a pit as indicated by the numeral 13 below the platform 1. It is understood that this stand may be of any suitable shape or design and may be arranged in any suitable manner.

The platform is held by the cylinders 2 which are provided with pistons 1 1- and rods 15 which are .provided with rollers 16 at their 7 upper ends and these rollers are rotatably mounted in a track 17 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. and it will be observed that as the platform is rotated the rollers 16 will roll in the track 17. The track made on aradius from the center of the platform as shown in igure '6. It is understood, however, that the track members maybe made as long as desired or may be made in a complete 'c'i 'rc'le should it he desired to rotate the platform through a. complete circle. It is also understood that the upper ends of t 1e piston rods may be attached to the platform in any other suitable man or. In the design shown the platform provided with two cylinders, one on the transverse axis and one on the longitudinal ax' will be understood that as many cylinders as may be desired may be used and the cylinders may be located at any suitable points. By positioning the cylinders as shown it will be possible to r ise or lower the platform trans versely or longitudinally, independently and i will also be possible to operate it in both directions at the same time thereby making it possible to give the platform a wavy 1notion or rotate a. low point of the platform around a continuous circle. Although the cylinders are referred to by the numeral 2 the transverse cylinder is given an additional reference numeral 18 so that hereinafter the longitudinal cylinder will be referred to as 2 and the tr..nsverse cylinder as 18.

r rnother cylinder as indicated by the numoral 19 is mounted upon the cylinder 52 and horizontally positioned as shown in Figure l so that its connecting rod :20 may be attached to a bracket 21 on the lower side of tie platform and it will be observed that as the piston in this cylinder moves from one side to the other it will move the bracket 21 backward and forward and thereby rotate the platform about the center. ln the design shown the cylinder 19 is shown mounted upon a swivel joint as indicated by tlic numeral 22 so that it may move upward and downward to compensate for the upward and downward movement of the platform at the point where the bracket 21 is located. The cylind 2 and 18 may mounted in any suitable in nner in the pit 13.

In the design shown in Figure the cylinders 52 are mounted in a horizontal position and the connecting rods 15 are attached to a bell crank 23 which is rotatably mounted upon a stand 24. The rod 15 is connected to the lever 23 through a slotted opening 25 at the end of the lever so that t no end of the lever may move upward and downward as it moves about its axis without causing the con necting rod to bind in the cylinder. The opposite end of the lever 23 is connected to a bearing 26 on the under si e of the platform. It will be observed that b positioning the cylinders in this manne it will be possible to reduce the height of the pit considerably.

It will he understood that each of the cylinders are provided with a connection at each end so that air may be injected or permitted to escape from either side of the piston. These connections are connected to the valve mechanism shown in Figure 7' in such a man nor that each of the valve operating levers will control a cylinder. In the designs iown itwill be assumed that the cylinderQ is operated bythe lever 42, the cylinder 18 by the lever 48 and the cylinder 19 by the lever 44. The connections from the upper ends of each or the cylinders are indicated by the nui'neral and to the lower ends by the numeral. 46 and although each side of the valve is not shown the construction of each valve is similar and with the parts broken away in Figure 7 it is believed that the construction of: all of the valves and the connections thereto will be readily understood. Each unit out the valve mechanism is provided with a control valve 4 and a relief valve 49.

The control valve is formed with a disk 49 which is mounted in a casing having a lower portion 50 and an upper portion 51 and which is opera'ed by a shaft 52. having a square shank 53 at the lower end that fits into square opening 54 in the disk and another square sh nk 55 at the upper end over which one of the operating levers as indicated by the numerals 42, 43 and 44 is adjustably held by a screw 56. The upper portion 51 of the casing is provided with a recess 57 in which the disk 49 is mounted and it will be noted that the recess is somewhat larger than the disk to provide ample room for the circulation of air over it. Air will be admitted to this space through a pipe 58 which is connectec to a boss 59 on the casing. On the upper par-tot the casing is a threaded sleeve 60 upon which a packing gland 61 is screwed, and it will be observed that the shaft passes directly through the gland and sleeve so that it will be impossible for the compressed air in the recess 57 to escape along the shaft. The upper portion 51 of the casing is provided with a lip 62 that fits into a recess 63 in the lower portion to provide a positive seal between the two portions of the casing and it will also be noted that a thin gasket may be used between the two portions to insure a positive seal.

In the disk 49 is a large opening 64 as shown in Figure 8, and on each side of this opening are two smaller openings 65 and 66. It will be noted that directly below the openings 65 and 66 are other openings 67 and 68 in the lower portion 50 ot the casing and these open ings are directly connected through the pipes 45 and 46 to the ends of the cylinders. In the openings 67 and 68 are check valves formed by a ball 69 with the spring 7 0 under it as shown to prevent air returning to the disk from the cylinder. It will be noted that with the disk 49 in the neutral position as shown in Figure 8 the piston as indicated by the numeral 14 will be stationary and will hav an equal pressure on each side which will be provided through the small openings 65 and 66 in the disk, as it will be seen that these will permit an equal pressure in both ends of the cylinder; however it will be noted that when the opening 64 is rotated in either direction it will permit compressed air or the like to pass directly to either end of the cylinder.

The connections between the openings 67 and 68 and the cylinder are provided with openings connecting them to the discharge or exhaust valves 48. The device is adjusted so that one of the exhaust valves which is indicated by the numeral 71 will permit the air in one end of the cylinder to escape when the opening 64 is over the opening 68, and the other exhaust valve which is indicated by the numeral 72 will permit the air to escape when the opening 64 is over the opening 67. This will make it possible to exhaust the air or the like from one end of the cylinder while it is being admitted to the other. A cross connection, as indicated by the dotted line 7 3 is provided in the lower part of the portion 50 of the casing which connects the opening 67, be low the check valve 69 to an opening 74 below the valve 71 and a similar cross connection 7 5 connects the opening 68, also below the check valve, to another opening below the valve 7 2, and it will be observed that as either of the valves 71 or 72 are opened the air or the like will pass from the opening 74 to an opening 76 above the valve from where it may discharge to the atmosphere through an opening 77. The valves 71 and 72 are provided with a stem 78 that extends upward through a casing 79 and it will be observed 'hat the upper ends of the stems engage a rocker arm 80 that is pivotally mounted on a pin 81 between the two valves and on top of the rocker arm is a roller 82 which is pivotally mounted between lugs 83 and 84 on the lower side of the operating lever. It will be noted that the upper surface of the rocker arm 80 has a straight portion at the center and then slopes upward toward the ends which are raised as shown at the point 85, so that as the roller 82 is moved to one side or the other it will move the end of "he rocker arm downward and thereby force the valve stem 74 downward to open the exhaust valve. It will be noted that this movement will also rota' e the disk 49 and open the connection between the compressed air and the end of the cylinder opposite to that from which the air is permitted to exhaust through the opening of the exhaust valve. In the drawing i' vvill be noted that as the roller 82 is moved to one side so that it will open the valve 72 the disk will also move and thereby open the air pressure to the opening 67; and it will be noted that the opening 67 is connected to the end of the cylinder through the connection 45 and the valve 72 is connected to the other end of the cylinder through the connection 46 so that air will be admitted to the end through the connection 45 and permitted to escape from the end through the connection 46.

The connections 45 and 46 may be provided with relief valves which may be opened with the handle in the neutral position to )ermit the air or the like to escape from both ends of the cylinder and it will be noted that this will make it possible to operate the device y the steering wheel in the usual manner.

- In the design shown in Figure 3, in which an alternate means is provided for operat ing the platform, the stand 12 is mounte upon a rotatable table 27 which in turn is mounted upon wheels 28 upon a circular track in the bottom,- of the pit and in this design one of the Wheels 28 is provided with an extended shaft which is indicated by the numeral 30 and a worm gear 31 is mounted upon this shaft and a motor 32 with a worm 33 mounted upon the shaft is located so that the worm 33 will mesh with the gear 31 and as the motor rotates it will rotate the shaft 30 and the wheel 28 so that it will cause the table 27 to rotate. The table 27 is extended at the point 34 and a bearing 35 is provided at the outer end in which the shaft 30 is mounted and a gear 36 is mounted upon the outer end of the shaft. The gear 36 meshes with another gear 37 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 38 and the gear 37 is provided with a socket 39 which is eccentrically mounted thereon and a connec ing rod 40 with balls at each end is provided and arranged with one end held in the socket 39 and the other held in a socket ll on the underside of the platform 1 and it will be observed that as the gear 37 rotates it will move the socket 39 eccentrically about its center so that the edge of the platform will move upward and downward. It will be understood that similar devices may be provided at difierent points of the platform so that the platform may be raised or lowered as desired. It is also understood that any other suitable means may be used for raising and lowering parts of the platform and also that the means shown in Figure 3 may be operated in any other suitable manner.

The device as shown in Figure 1 may also be provided with injectors 88 which may be connected to a valve 89 operated by a lever 90 on the valve mechanism 3 so that air currents may be blown across the platform to indicate speed or a storm, and these devices may be arranged so that the air may come from any direction. This device may also be arranged so that the temperature of the air may be changed andso that odors or smoke may be injected therein and discharged with the air. Another valve as indicated by the numeral 92 may also be positioned upon the valve mechanism 3 and be adaptable to be opened to the atmosphere to indicate noise such as wind blowing or the like. A sheet metal plate as indicated by the numeral 93 may be, provided to indicate noise, however it will be understood that any other suitable devices or apparatus may be used to indicate noise of any description.

it will be understood that other changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, one of which changes may be in the use of the platform within a building or as the floor thereof, another may be in the changing of the relative positions of the platform and the screen from those shown in the drawings and still another be in the use of the device with any other means for supporting seats or for holding people in relation to a moving picture screen.

The construction will be readilyunderstood from the foregoing description. In use the device may be installed in a pit as indicated by the numeral 13 and as shown in Figure 1 and it will be observed that the platform 1 is positioned in front of a screen as indicated by the numeral 86 and supported the center upon the stand 12 and held by the cylinders 2, 18 and 19, and the cylinders are controlled by the valve 3 through the pipes 4-5 and 16. The pipes are connected from each of the valve members which are operated by the levers 452 and 43 and 44: and also to each end of the cylinders respectively. Air is supplied to the valve mechanism under pressure through a pipe 58 from an air compresser which in the drawings is shown in the pit and indicated by the numeral 87. It is understood, however, that the air may be supplied from any feed line or the compresser may be situated at any point. In use the picture will be thrown upon the screen and the platform will be controlled by the valve mechanism 3. It will be observed that by operating the levers 12, 43 and 4 1 it will be possible to move the platform upward and downward or twist it about the center as the valve con trolling mechanism makes it possible to hold the pistons in any position within the cylinders and also move the pistons a very short distance or the full length of the cylinder with either a slow. or quick movement. The size of the cylinders may be varied according to the air pressure so that the platform may be positively controlled in all directions. The operator standing at the valve mechanism 3 may operate the various devices for producing smoke, noise, wind, odors or changes of temperature.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a platform, means for supporting the platform at the center to permit it to rotate and slant in any direction, positive means for raisin and lowering the plat-form transversely, positive means for raising and lowering the platform longitudinally, means for rotating the platform, and a common valve mechanism for operating the said raising and lowering and rotating means.

2. In a device of the character described, a platform, a pit in which the platform is located, a screen at one end of the platform, a stand with a ball at the upper end positioned below the center of the platform, a socket on the under side of the platform which is placed over the ball on the stand, a cylinder positioned under the platform and between the center and one side, a piston in the cylinder having a rod extending out of the upper end thereof, a roller at the upper end of the rod, a track on the under side of the platform in which the said roller operates, another cylinder positioned between the center of said platform and one end thereof, a piston in the said latter cylinder also having a rod with a roller in the end extending out of the upper end of the cylinder, a track adaptable to cooperate with the said roller, another cylinder horizontally and rotatably mounted also having a piston therein, and a piston rod extending out of the end thereof, a bracket on. the under side of the platform to which the said last mentioned piston rod is connected, and a suitable valve mechanism for supplying air under pressure to the said cylinders and adaptable to positively control the positions of the said pistons.

3. In a device of the character described, a platform, means for pivotally supporting the platform at the center, suitable air controlled pistons in cylinders below the said platform and connected thereto to raise and lower the said platform from different points and also to rotate the said platform, means for controlling the said pistons from a remote point, and means for producing smoke, noise, wind, odors, or changes of temperature in combination with the movement of the platform to emphasize action displayed upon the screen such as speed, impending disasters, wrecks, storms, waves or the like, or passing through tunnels.

4. In a device of the character described, a platform, means for supporting the plat form at the center to permit it to rotate and slant in any direction, positive means for raising and lowering the platform transversely, positive means for raising and lowering the platform longitudinally, means for rotating the platform, and a common means for operating the said raising and lowering and rotating means.

5. In an amusement device of the character described, a stationary screen, a platform positioned in front of the said screen, means for supporting the platform at the center to permit it to rotate and slant in any direction, positive means for raising and lowering the platform transversely, positive means for raising and lowering the platform longitudinally, means for rotating the platform, and

a common means for operating the said raising and lowering and rotating means.

6. In an amusement device as described in claim 5, means for producing an air current across the said platform.

7. In an amusement device as described in claim 5, means for producing sound adjacent the said platform.

8. In an amusement device as described in claim 5, means for causing an air current across the said platform, and means for producing sound in combination with the said platform.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES E. GWINNETT. 

